The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

How does Junior's understanding of addiction transcend ethnicity and class?

Junior's parents, Rowdy's father, and others in their community are addicted to alcohol, and Junior's white "friend with potential," Penelope, has bulimia. "There are all kinds of addicts I guess," he says. "We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away."

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Junior is well aware of that addiction is often a part of the poverty and hopelessness on the reservation. He is surprised, however, to learn that addiction is universal and equally prominent in people of other ethnicities and class. Junior learns that although someone's life may appear to be perfect on the outside, those people are just as likely to hurt on the inside.

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian